 Last additions - Okaya 岡谷市 |
Listen to one of the song versions hereJan 09, 2017
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Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.Mar 06, 2007
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Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.Mar 06, 2007
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Oguchi graves.Mar 06, 2007
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.Mar 06, 2007
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Oguchi Taro's grave on right.Mar 06, 2007
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Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.Mar 06, 2007
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Path to shrineMar 06, 2007
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.Mar 06, 2007
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Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.Mar 06, 2007
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Mar 06, 2007
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Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.Mar 06, 2007
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Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.Mar 06, 2007
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Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statueMar 06, 2007
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Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑Mar 06, 2007
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Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.Mar 06, 2007
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑Mar 06, 2007
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Song monument with the entire lyrics of Biwako Shuko no Uta. On the shore of Lake Suwa in Okaya, Nagano. 琵琶湖周航の歌 全歌詞碑Mar 06, 2007
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Music box. Three versions of the song can be heard through a speaker by pressing a button. Also see the video at YouTube to hear the song.The monument included a music box where you could listen to three versions of the song through a speaker. I was immediately fascinated by the song when I heard it (together with the wind and waves of Lake Suwa).Mar 06, 2007
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.Mar 06, 2007
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Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像Short walk from JR Okaya Station. Walk toward the shore of Lake Suwa. The monument is near the mouth of Tenryu River.Mar 06, 2007
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Closeup of Taro Oguchi statueHe graduated in 1919 and furthered his studies at Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo) in the science department. In 1921, he invented the wired and wireless multiplex telegraph and telephone system which was patented in eight countries. He was an extremely bright young man with a promising future.
In 1922, he entered the university's aeronautical research institute as a researcher. However, his life soon took a downturn from 1923 when he received a military conscription notice. A love interest for marriage also did not work out as desired. His physical health deteriorated and he terminated his own life the following year in 1924 at age 26.Mar 06, 2007
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Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.Mar 06, 2007
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Oguchi Taro Statue and Biwako Shuko no Uta Song Monument. On the shore of Lake Suwa, Okaya, Nagano. 歌碑と小口太郎銅像This was where I first heard the song, "Biwako Shuko no Uta." In May 2004, I was in Suwa, Nagano Pref. to see and photograph the Onbashira Festival (held every 6 years). My hotel was in the neighboring city of Okaya on the shores of Lake Suwa.
I walked around the lake and came across this statue of Taro Oguchi and song monument. I was very surprised when I saw the word "Biwako" (Lake Biwa). This was Nagano, not Shiga, so it was most unexpected to see "Biwako" here. I read the song lyrics on the monument and was surprised and delighted to see the names of well-known places in Shiga.
The monument even had music box (seen on left) where you could hear three versions of the song. I immediately found it intriguing.Mar 06, 2007
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Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.Mar 06, 2007
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About Taro Oguchi.The song was written as a collaboration among boatmates, but Taro Oguchi (小口太郎) (1897-1924) is credited as being the main song writer. He was born in 1897 (Meiji 30) in Minato-mura village, now part of Okaya city on the shores of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.
He grew up in a loving and respected family and demonstrated an early talent for writing, music (violin and shakuhachi), and sports (judo, skiing, skating). Since he was the eldest son expected to take over the family home, there was opposition for him to go away for college. However, his father was persuaded to allow Taro to apply for college at the elite No. 3 High School (later to become Kyoto University). It was one of nine college-level schools in Japan, the No. 3 school being one of the most elite.
Contrary to family expectations, Taro passed the entrance exam, went school in Kyoto in 1914 and joined the rowing and speech clubs. In 1917, he wrote the famous song about Lake Biwa which first went public in 1918.Mar 06, 2007
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Statue of Oguchi TaroMar 06, 2007
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Grand finale dance called Itomachi Ko-utaMar 05, 2007
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Canora Boys and Girls ChorusMar 05, 2007
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Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" up to verse 3. 中村直子さんが三番まで歌われた。Mar 05, 2007
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Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." The first Japanese person to sing the song in public. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」の英語版も歌われた。Mar 05, 2007
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African dance, a real crowd pleaser.Mar 05, 2007
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In Okaya, Nagano, Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." This is the first time this English version was sung in public outside Shiga Prefecture.Mar 05, 2007
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African drumming and danceMar 05, 2007
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Brazilian Dance by Ashinaga Gakuen Brazilian SchoolMar 05, 2007
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Full-house audience. Many international groups provided free entertainment.Mar 05, 2007
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Indonesian dance by Miyazaki AniMar 05, 2007
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Taiko drummers from Okaya Roman TaikoMar 05, 2007
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Brazilian schoolMar 05, 2007
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New Zealand panelMar 05, 2007
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song Exhibition panels. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版の展示コーナーMar 05, 2007
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Exhibition panels 展示コーナーMar 05, 2007
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) exhibition panel by Philbert Ono at Okaya, Nagano.Mar 05, 2007
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Reception counter with programs and newsletters in different languages.Mar 05, 2007
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Exhibition area featuring native costumes, photos, etc.Mar 05, 2007
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Mar 05, 2007
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Entrance to the smaller hallMar 05, 2007
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Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.Mar 05, 2007
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Lobby of Canora HallMar 05, 2007
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Okaya City Hall 岡谷市役所Jan 29, 2007
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Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.Jan 29, 2007
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Bridge with a mountain design, over Tenryu River.Jan 29, 2007
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Ilf Douga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄余技作品展示室Jan 29, 2007
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Ilf Doga MuseumJan 29, 2007
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Ramu-ramu Coffee Shop in Ilf Doga Museum 喫茶ラムラムJan 29, 2007
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Along Tenryu River in winter.Jan 29, 2007
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Doga-kan-dori street leading to Ilf Plaza.Jan 29, 2007
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Ilf Doga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄作品展示室Jan 29, 2007
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Ilf Plaza, with shops and a culture center. イルフプラザJan 29, 2007
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Ilf Doga Museum イルフ童画館Jan 29, 2007
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Lala store in front of Okaya Station. A small city hall office inside might be able to give tourist info.Jan 29, 2007
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JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅Jan 29, 2007
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View from train station overpassJan 29, 2007
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JR Okaya Station platformJan 29, 2007
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Oguchi Taro song monumentJan 28, 2007
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Tenryu River at sunsetJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Map of lake shore areaJan 28, 2007
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Lakeside parkJan 28, 2007
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Water fountain and azaleas in springJan 28, 2007
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Water fountain and azaleas in springJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Mother and child sculptureJan 28, 2007
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PlaygroundJan 28, 2007
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DucksJan 28, 2007
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Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.Jan 28, 2007
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Lakeside parkJan 28, 2007
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Ducks fly to safety.Jan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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SculptureJan 28, 2007
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Water fountainJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Lakeside parkJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Oguchi Taro monumentJan 28, 2007
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Locomotive from Ohio, USA used in the 1930s.Jan 28, 2007
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Sculpture in lakeside parkJan 28, 2007
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Lake Suwa during a warm winter.Jan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Carp caught from Lake SuwaJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Kamaguchi FloodgateJan 28, 2007
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Bridge across Kamaguchi FloodgateJan 28, 2007
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Lake SuwaJan 28, 2007
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Bridge across Kamaguchi FloodgateJan 28, 2007
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Lake Suwa and bridgeJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Lake SuwaJan 28, 2007
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Lakeside parkJan 28, 2007
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Lakeside parkJan 28, 2007
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Lakeside parkJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Lake Suwa and mountainsJan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Jan 28, 2007
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Lake Suwa and mountainsJan 28, 2007
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Lake SuwaJan 28, 2007
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Lake Suwa and mountainsJan 28, 2007
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Lake SuwaJan 28, 2007
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Okaya mapDec 17, 2005
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JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.Small station, but close to Lake Suwa.Dec 17, 2005
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Statue of KATAKURA KanetaroHe and his company planted the azaleas in 1935.
片倉兼太郎Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Path to more azaleas as far as the eye can see.Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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Numerous azalea bushesDec 17, 2005
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Dec 17, 2005
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